Teamsters challenge Florida probation change

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ The Teamsters union is challenging a decision to suspend visits by Florida probation officers to the homes of released convicts.

The administrative law challenge was filed Tuesday against the Department of Corrections.

The complaint alleges the agency suspended home visits of at least once a month for probationers from March through June 30, the end of the current budget year. It also reduced visits from four to two per month for those sentenced to community control.

The Teamsters represent corrections employees including probation officers. The complaint argues the decision is dangerous and violates state law.

The department issued a statement saying steps will be taken to verify probationers' residences and employment without visiting their homes but declined to say how that will be done for security reasons.